PM administers oath to four city mayors

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The newly elected mayors of Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal and Sylhet city corporations were sworn in Sunday, reports UNB. The swearing-in ceremony took place at International Conference Center at the Prime Minister's office. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina administered the oath to the mayors while LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam administered the oath to the councilors of the four city corporations. The four city mayors are Ariful Haque Chowdhury (Sylhet), M Mosaddek Hossain (Rajshahi), M Moniruzzaman Moni (Khulna) and M Ahsan Habib Kamal (Barisal). The Prime Minister signed the oath papers and handed over those to the respective mayors. Speaking briefly on the occasion, the Prime Minister said her government has proved that free, fair and neutral election is possible under a political government. "People irrespective of party affiliation have voted for you spontaneously and you should work for the welfare of the people as per your oath despite your loyalty to your party," she said. Hasina said the outgoing mayors have implemented massive development programmes in four city corporations in the last four years, which was never done in the past. She requested the new mayors to maintain the continuity of the current pace of development activities, saying "this is the desire of the people." The Prime Minister suggested the mayors that as elected representatives they should work for the welfare of the people rising above their political identity. "You should perform your respective duties maintaining the democratic process to fulfill the expectations of the people," she said. Hasina congratulated the new mayors and councilors and asked them to work together for building the nation. The elected mayors, their family members, and the councilors joined the Prime Minister in photo session. The opposition-backed mayoral candidates won the elections to the four city corporations held on June 15 defeating the ruling party-supported candidates with impressive margins.